Verbena plant named ‘Sunvivabura’

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a Verbena plant which has an erect growth habit and good plant height. The plant abundantly forms flowers in a spike with a great profusion of blooms. The blooming period is late April to November and the flowering duration is long. The whole plant remains in bloom for a considerable period of time. The flower size is large and the petal color is light purplish pink with further lightening towards the center. The plant is highly tolerant to heat and cold, and has high resistance to pests and diseases, particularly powdery mildew, and a high resistance to rain.

This is a continuation of application No. 09/375,361, filed on Aug. 17,1999 abn.

BOTANICAL/COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION

Verbena hybrida×peruviana/Verbana Plant

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

cv. ‘Sunvivabura’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

Verbena is a very popular plant and is used for flower bedding andpotting in the summer season. There are only a few varieties of Verbenaplants which have abundant branching, many flowers in a spike, a longflowering duration and which have a high resistance to rain, heat, cold,and disease. Accordingly, this invention was aimed at obtaining a newvariety having an erect growth habit, strong branching, many flowers ina spike, large diameter flowers, a high tolerance to heat and cold, andresistances to diseases and pests, and also having petals that are lightpurplish pink.

The new variety of Verbena plant according to this invention originatedfrom crossing a Verbena hybrida ‘Novaris Rosepink with eye’ (♀)(non-patented in the United States and a wild type of Verbena plantVerbena peruviana ‘VBD’ (♂) (non-patented in the United States) nativeto Brazil.

Initially, 33 seedlings were obtained in the autumn of 1992, fromcrossing ‘Novaris Rosepink with eye’ as female parent and a wild type ofverbena plant ‘VBD’ (Verbena Peruviana f. rosea) as pollen parent. Fromthis crossing, 8 seedlings were selected in view of their erect growthhabit and petal color, propagated by the use of cuttings, and then grownas a trial in flower beds and planters from the spring of 1993 to theautumn of 1994. Finally one plant was selected from these 8 seedlings.The botanical characteristics of the selected one seedling was examined,using the parent varieties ‘Novaris Rosepink with eye’ and ‘VBD’ forcomparison. As a result, it was concluded that this Verbena isdistinguishable from any other variety whose existence is known to us,and is uniform and stable in its characteristics. This new variety ofVerbena plant was named ‘Sunvivabura’.

In the following description, the color-coding is in accordance with TheHorticultural Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London,England (R.H.S. Colour Chart). A color chart based on The Japan ColorStandard for Horticultural Plant (J.H.S. Color Chart) is also added forreference.

‘Novaris Rosepink with eye’, used as female parent in the obtaining ofthis new variety ‘Sunvivabura’ is commercially available. The mainbotanical characteristics of Novaris Rosepink with eye, are as follows:

Plant:

Growth habit.—Erect.

Plant width.—Narrow.

Plant height.—Medium.

Stem:

Diameter.—Medium.

Anthocyanin pigmentation.—Absent.

Pubescence.—Present.

Prickle.—Absent.

Branching.—Medium.

Subterranean stem.—Absent.

Length of internode.—Medium.

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.—Opposite.

Shape of blade.—Hastate.

Blade of incision.—Present.

Depth of blade incision.—Shallow.

Shape of leaf margin.—Crenated.

Length.—Medium.

Width.—Medium.

Color.—Dark yellow green. (R.H.S. Colour Chart No.146A, J.H.S. ColorChart No.3509).

Pubescence.—Present.

Petiole.—Absent.

Flower:

Shape of cluster.—Obconical.

Spike length.—Medium.

Spike diameter.—Medium.

Facing direction.—Upward.

Outward curvature of petal.—Slightly curved.

Diameter.—Medium.

Height.—Long.

Color of petal.—Deep pink. (R.H.S. Colour Chart No.52C, J.H.S. ColorChart No.0107).

Eye color.—Present.

Size of eye color.—Medium.

Variegation.—Absent.

Color presentation.—Substantially even.

Overlapping of petals.—Separate.

Incision of petal.—Present.

Number of petals.—medium.

Calyx incision.—Present.

Calyx length.—Medium.

Anthocyanin pigmentation of calyx limb.—Present.

Pistil shape.—Two lobes.

Stamen number.—Medium.

Anther color.—Yellowish green.

Peduncle diameter.—Thin.

Peduncle length.—Medium.

Number of flowers.—Many.

Flower fragrance.—Absent.

Flowering time.—Medium.

Flowering duration.—Short.

Physiological and ecological characteristics:

Tolerance to cold.—Medium.

Tolerance to heat.—Low.

Resistance to diseases.—Low.

Resistance to pests.—Low.

The pollen parent used in obtaining this new variety ‘Sunvivabura’ was awild type of Verbena peruviana. The main botanical characteristics ofthis pollen parent ‘VBD’ are as follows:

Plant:

Growth habit.—Erect.

Plant width.—Medium.

Plant height.—High. (25-30 cm).

Stem:

Diameter.—Medium.

Anthocyanin pigmentation.—Present.

Pubescence.—Dense.

Prickle.—Absent.

Branching.—Abundant.

Subterranean stem.—Absent.

Length of internode.—Medium.

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.—Opposite.

Shape of blade.—Hastate.

Blade incision.—Present.

Depth of blade incision.—Shallow.

Shape of leaf margin.—Crenate.

Length.—Medium.

Width.—Medium.

Color.—Dark yellow green (R.H.S. Colour Chart 146A, J.H.S. Color ChartNo.3508).

Pubescence.—Dense.

Petiole.—Absent.

Flower:

Shape of cluster.—Turbinate.

Spike length.—Medium.

Spike diameter.—Medium.

Facing direction.—Upward.

Outward curvature of petal.—Curved.

Diameter.—Medium.

Height.—Medium.

Color of petal.—Brilliant purple (R.H.S. Colour Chart No.84A, J.H.S.Color Chart No.8305).

Eye color.—Present.

Size of eye color.—Medium.

Variegation.—Absent.

Color presentation.—Substantially even.

Overlapping of petals.—Separate.

Incision of petal.—Present.

Number of petals.—Medium.

Calyx incision.—Present.

Calyx length.—Long.

Anthocyanin pigmentation of calyx limb.—Present.

Pistil shape.—Two lobes.

Stamen number.—Medium.

Anther color.—Yellowish green.

Peduncle diameter.—Thin.

Peduncle length.—Short.

Number of flowers.—Few.

Flower fragrance.—Absent.

Flowering time.—Very late.

Flowering duration.—Long.

Physiological and ecological characteristics:

Tolerance to cold.—High.

Tolerance to heat.—High.

Resistance to diseases.—High.

Resistance to pests.—High.

The new variety of verbena plant ‘Sunvivabura’ was asexually reproducedby the use of cuttings at the aforementioned Hakushu Nursery Center ofSUNTORY Ltd., residing at 29131 Torihara, Hakushu-cho, Kitakoma-gun,Yamanashi-ken, Japan, and the homogeneity and stability thereof wereconfirmed. The instant plant retains its distinctive characteristics andreproduces true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

This new variety of Verbena plant has an erect growth habit with longstems and a good plant height. The plant has many branches and formsflowers abundantly in a spike with a great profusion of blooms. Theblooming period is late April to November and the flowering duration islong. The whole plant remains in bloom for a considerable period oftime. The flower size is large and the petal color is light purplishpink with further lightening towards the center. The plant is highlytolerant to heat, and has a high resistance to pests and diseases,particularly powdery mildew, and high resistance to rain. Mediumresistance to cold is displayed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical plant of the new Verbena variety whilegrowing in a pot.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close view of typical foliage and blossoms of thenew Verbena variety.

The plants described herein were approximately eight months of age andwere observed during August while growing in pots. Such plants werebeing grown at Shimamoto-cho, Oosaka-fu, Japan. Approximately ten weeksare required to produce finished flowering plants following the rootingof cuttings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical characteristics of the new and distinct variety of Verbenaplant, ‘Sunvivabura’ are as follows:

Plant:

Growth habit.—Erect.

Plant extension.—width — Approximately 30 cm.

Plant height.—High. (25-35 cm).

Stem:

Diameter.—Medium. (2-3 mm).

Length.—Approximately 25 cm.

Pubescence.—Dense.

Prickle.—Absent.

Branching.—Abundant.

Subterranean stem.—Absent.

Length of internode.—Medium. (3-4 cm).

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.—Opposite.

Shape of blade.—Hastate.

Blade incision.—Pinatilobed.

Depth of blade incision.—Shallow.

Shape of leaf margin.—Dentate to crenate.

Length.—Medium. (3-4 cm).

Width.—Medium. (2-3 cm).

Base.—Wedge-shaped.

Apex.—Acute.

Venation pattern.—Pinnate.

Color.—Moderate olive green. (R.H.S. Colour Chart No.146A, J.H.S. ColorChart No.3508) on the upper surface, and R.H.S. Colour Chart No. 146C onthe under surface.

Pubescence.—Moderate in quantity and typical of Verbena.

Petiole.—Present.

Petiole diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.

Petiole length.—Approximately 4 mm.

Petiole color.—R.H.S. Colour Chart No. 144A.

Buds:

Shape.—Club-shaped.

Length.—Approximately 1.1 cm.

Diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.

Color.—R.H.S. Colour Chart No. 144A.

Flower:

Shape of cluster.—Funnel-shaped.

Spike length.—Medium. (5 cm).

Spike diameter.—Medium. (2-3 cm).

Facing direction.—Upward.

Outward curvature of petal.—Slightly curved.

Diameter.—Medium. (20-30 mm).

Petal.—There is one petal having five lobes per flower. Thus thetubular-shaped flower branches into five lobes. The apex of each lobe isemarginated, and the texture of the lobes is matt.

Floral tube.—Approximately 1.8 cm in length.

Color of petal.—Light purplish pink. (R.H.S. Colour Chart No.76A, J.H.S.Color Chart No.8903) on the upper surface, and R.H.S. Colour Chart No.69C on the under surface.

Eye color.—Absent. However, there is fading of the petal coloration nearthe point of attachment as illustrated in FIG. 2 to near R.H.S. ColourChart No. 69C.

Variegation.—Absent.

Color presentation.—Substantially even.

Calyx.—The tubular-shaped calyx divides in five sepals. The sepal apexis acuminate and the sepal margins are smooth. The upper and lowersurfaces of the sepals are R.H.S. Colour Chart No. 144A in coloration.The calyx length is approximately 12 mm and the calyx margin is R.H.S.Colour Chart No. 143C in coloration.

Pistil number.—One.

Pistil length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.

Stigma.—Possesses two lobes.

Style color.—R.H.S. Colour Chart No. 144C.

Stamen number.—Commonly four.

Anther color.—Yellowish green.

Peduncle diameter.—Approximately 1.5 mm.

Peduncle length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.

Peduncle color.—R.H.S. Colour Chart No. 144A.

Number of flowers.—Commonly approximately 12 per spike.

Flower fragrance.—Absent.

Flowering time.—Late.

Flowering duration.—Long, with an individual bloom commonly lastingapproximately 5 to 8 days.

Pollen.—Formed in a sparse quantity and R.H.S. Colour Chart No. 4B incoloration.

Seeds.—Occasionally formed, generally cylindrical in configuration,approximately 4 mm in length, approximately 1 mm in diameter, and nearR.H.S. Colour Chart No. 148A in coloration.

Physiological and ecological characteristics:

Tolerance to cold.—High with the plant having withstood a temperature of−5° C.

Tolerance to heat.—High.

Resistance to diseases.—High particularly with respect to powderymildew.

Resistance to pests.—High particularly with respect to aphids.

This new variety of Verbena plant is most suitable for flower beddingand potting, particularly in planters, and is further excellent for useas a ground cover.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Verbena plant,substantially as herein illustrated and described, characterizedparticularly as to novelty by (A) an erect growth habit, (B) a plentifulamount of flowers in a spike with a great profusion of blooms, (C) along flowering duration, (D) a large flower size and light purplish pinkpetal color with further lightening towards the center, and (E) havinghigh resistance to rain, heat, cold, drought, diseases and pests.